Laterally sliding breechblock for loading a large caliber gun



Dec. 5, 1967 e. D'ANDREA 3,355,988

March 5, 1966 11 Sheets-Sheet l Giuliunn D'AnElI'Eu (5. DANDREA Dec. 5,1967 LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN llSheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1966 INVENTOR 8 ATTORNEYS H Dec. 5, 1967G. DANDFLEA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Filed March5, 1966 ll heets-Sheet 5 iNVENTOR EiuhunnD'AnElTEu w fli miw ATTORNEYSDec. 5, 1967 G. D'ANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN [Jam 7 WMuiii I I W $2 2553 ATTORNEYS G. DANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Dec. 5, 1967ll Sheets-Sheet 6 filed March 3, 1966 Dec. 5, 1967 G. DANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Filed March3, 1966 ll heetsSheet '7 :W/WWiWWEIHIE fw/m INV ENTOR Elluhunn II Andreami 2 m ATTORNEYS 11 heets-Sheet 8 G. D'ANDREA LATERALLY SLIDINGBREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Dec. 5, 1967 Filed March 5,1966 |NV\ENTOR Emfllunu DAnflTEu g/ a .1 I I ATT RNEYs G. D'ANDREA Dec.5, 1967 LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN llSheets-Sheet 9 Filed March 3, 1966 E EL INV'ENTOR EI'Lfliunn I] AnflreuATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1967 G. D'ANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN filed March3, 1966 ll heets-Sh et l0 IEE ii 46 32 34 46 97 L y a INVENTOREIiIfliUHD D'AnflTEu ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1967 G. DANDREA 3,355,988

LATERALLY SLIDING BREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING LARGE CALIBER GUN Filed March3, 1966 ll heets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR Eiuliunn DAnElTEtL BY '7 S ,W

I ATTORNEYS i United States Patent 3,355,988 LATERALLY SLIDINGBREECHBLOCK FOR LOADING A LARGE CALIBER GUN Giuliano DAndrea, Troy,N.Y., assignor to the United States of America as represented by theSecretary of the Army Filed Mar. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 533,379 7 Claims.(Cl. 8945) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In order to significantly increasethe rate of fire of relatively large caliber guns of the type in whichthe ammunition consists of separately loaded projectiles and powdercharges, the present invention provides a laterally slidable breechblockdesigned to open and close the breech independently of the recoil andcounterrecoil cycle of the gun. A projectile loading tray is releasablyconnected to one side of the breechblock for concurrent movementtherewith during the opening and closing of the breech and suchconnection is so arranged that the breechblock is automatically freedfor longitudinal movement during the recoil and counterrecoil cycle ofthe gun. Thus, as the breechblock is actuated to open the breech uponthe conclusion of counterrecoil, the leading projectile on the loadingtray is drawn into the gun receiver into position to be pushed into thefiring tube by a rammer mounted on the loading tray. In addition, thebreechblock is provided with a forwardly opening firing chamber intowhich a powder charge can be loaded at the conclusion of the breechopening movement thereof so that the closing of the breech willautomatically position the powder charge into firing alignment with theprojectile then in the firing tube.

This invention relates to breechloading artillery with a recoilingbreech adapted for the firing of ammunition consisting of separateprojectiles and powder charges and is more particularly directed toimproved means for combining the opening and closing of the breech withthe loading of the ammunition into firing position.

In recent years, considerable emphasis has been placed on the need forincreasing the rate of fire of medium and heavy artillery. However, themany efforts in this direction have generally met with little or nosuccess from a military standpoint due to the complexity andunreliability of the mechanisms utilized to automatically load theammunition into firing position. This has been particularly true inthose guns wherein the ammunition therefor consists of a separateprojectile and powder charge which must be consecutively rammed into thebreech end of the firing tube subsequent to the opening of the breech.In order to accomplish the entire loading operation with a minimum ofmanual handling, these artillery weapons generally incorporate anautomatic mechanism which advances the leading projectile into thefeedway into axial alignment with the firing tube, rams such projectileinto firing position in the interior of the tube, retracts the rammingmechanism to the original position thereof, and thereafter repeats thissame series of steps in loading the powder charge into the firing tubeup against the base of the projectile. Obviously, even if the operatingtime for some or all of the individual steps in this loading sequencecould be reduced, the relatively large number of separate operationswhich are involved renders it extremely diflicult to produce anysignificant decrease in the 7 time required to repetitively load theseparate projectiles 3,355,988 Patented Dec. 5, 1987 and powder chargesinto firing position. Furthermore, the interval between successivefirings is additionally increased by the time required to open thebreech for entry of the ammunition into the firing tube and by the timerequired to close and lock the breech after the ammunition has beenloaded into firing position. It is therefore readily apparent that therate of fire of this type of gun is limited by the rapidity with whichthe separate projectiles and powder charges can be transferred into thegun and aligned into firing position.

Accordingly, it is a general object of thu's invention to provide asimplified procedure for loading a large caliber recoiling breech gunwith ammunition consisting of separate projectiles and powder charges.

It is an important object of this invention to increase the rate of fireof a gun as aforesaid by feeding the sep arate projectiles and powdercharges into firing alignment simultaneously with the opening andclosing of the breech.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of anammunition loading procedure as aforesaid wherein the advancement of theseparate projectiles and powder charges into firing alignment isaccomplished by a transversely slidable breechblock during thereciprocation imparted thereto for opening and closing the breech.

A further object of this invention is to provide a breechblock asaforesaid which will serve as a firing chamber for the powder charge andthereby eliminate the necessitty for any subsequent ramming thereof intothe firing tu e.

' Still another object of the present invention is the provision of abreechblock as aforesaid which can be utilized to impart transversemovement to a loading tray for positioning a projectile into axialalignment with the firing tube without creating subsequent interferencewith the longitudinal movement required by the breechblock during recoiland counterrecoil.

It is a final object of this invention to provide ammunition loadingmeans as aforesaid which will function in a simple and positive fashionregardless of the attitude at which the gun is being fired. I v

These objects can best be achieved in a large caliber gun with arecoiling breech mechanism by utilizing the breech opening and closingmovements of a transversely or laterally sliding breechblock to actuatea loading tray for advancing projectiles into successive axial alignmentwith the firing tube. The term transversely used throughout thespecification to describe the sliding movement of the breechblock isintended to refer to lateral movement only. The breech mechanismconsists of a firing tube secured in the forward end of a receiver whichis in turn slidably mounted on a stationary frame for longitudinalrecoil and counterrecoil movement. The breechblock is slidably mountedin the receiver in position to be transversely actuated by an externalsource of hydraulic power to block and unblock the breech end of thefiring tube. The loading of a projectile into position to be'rammed intothe firing tube is a'ccomplished by a loading tray releasably connectedto one side of the breechblock for concurrent transverse movementtherewith. The breechblock is also provided with a forwardly openingfiring chamber which is disposed outside the receiver when the breech isfully open to permit a powder charge to be loaded therein while aprojectile is being rammed into the breech end of the firing tube. Thus,when the breechblock returns to the breech closing position thereof, thepowder charge is advanced into firing alignment with the projectile thenin the firing tube.

Inasmuch as the projectile loading tray is slidably mounted in a feedchannel which is fixedly secured to the stationary frame, it isnecessary that the connection between the loading tray and thebreechblock permit the latter to accompany the receiver during therecoil and counterrecoil movement thereof. This is accomplished by theprovision of a sliding wedge type of tongue and groove connectiontherebetween which will facilitate reengagement during the return of therecoiling components to battery position. In addition, the use of ahydraulically powered actuator for reciprocating the breechblock to openand close the breech also requires a releasable engagement therebetweento permit the subsequent recoil and counterrecoil movement of thebreechblock. This is accomplished by a hook on the actuator positionedto move into and out of an eye member protruding from the rack whichactuates the gearing and lever assembly utilized to reciprocate thebreechblock.

Thus, inasmuch as the loading of the projectile into alignment with thefiring tube is accomplished concurrently with the opening of the breechand the powder charge is loaded into its firing chamber in thebreechblock simultaneously with the ramming of the projectile into thefiring tube, a substantial portion of the loading operation required inconventional guns of this type is completely eliminated thereby enablinga significant increase in the rate of fire, whether manual,semi-automatic, or full automatic. The loading time is even furtherdecreased by utilizing the return of the breechblock to the closedbreech position thereof to automatically position the powder charge intofiring alignment with the projectile then in the firing tube.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawings which are for thepurpose of illustration only and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a howitzer type gun to which thepresent invention is particularly adapted with a portion of the receiverand a cover thereon being broken away to show the gearing and leverarrangement utilized to impart transverse reciprocation to the breechblock and a portion of the loading tray being broken away to show theinterior thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational rear end view of a portion of the gunwith the breechblock shown in the position in which the breech is fullyopen;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on a reduced scale taken along a lineindicated by 3-3 in FIG. 2 to show the position of the projectiles onthe fixed and movable sections of the loading tray at the conclusion ofthe projectile feeding stroke of the breechblock;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 on the samescale as FIG. 2 to show the interior details of the fixed and slidablesections of the loading tray assembly;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2 to show thegearing arrangement utilized to actuate the pivoting levers which imparttransverse movement to the breechblock;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 5 to show theconfiguration and mounting details of the breechblock actuating leversin the breech open position thereof;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the actuatinglevers pivoted to lock the breechblock in the closed breech positionthereof;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but taken with the breechfully closed by the breechblock in the position required during therecoil movement thereof;

FIG. 9 is a plan view taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 4 to. show theposition of the feed lever arm upon the conclusion of the feedingmovement imparted to the projectiles in the stationary section of theloading tray;

FIG. 10 is a plan view similar to that in FIG. 9 but taken along line10-10 in FIG. 8 to show the position of the feed lever arm after thebreechblock has recoiled sufiiciently to permit the feed slide to returnto the preactuated position thereof;

FIG. ll is an enlarged fragmentary section of the gun in the area inwhich the gearing is connected to the levers which actuate thebreechblock;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top view illustrating the hook and eyeconnection between the receiver and the hydraulic actuator during theinitial portion of the recoil movement of the breech mechanism, the topof the receiver being partially broken away to show the pinion gear inmeshing engagement with the gear rack;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary section taken along line 1313 in FIG. 4 andenlarged to show the sliding wedge type of tongue and groove connectionbetween the breechblock and the loading tray in the fully engagedposition required during the transverse reciprocation of thebreechblock; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary section similar to that of FIG. 13 but takenalong line 14-14 in FIG. 8 to show the tongue and groove connectionduring the initial recoil travel of the breechblock.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to the perspectiverepresentation of FIG. 1, the gun for which the present invention isintended includes an elongated generally rectangular frame 12 in which areceiver 14 is slidably supported for recoil and counterrecoil movement.Frame 12 is provided with opposing tracks 16 along the interior surfacesof the longitudinal sidewalls thereof for the slidable reception ofmating ribs 18 extending along the opposite sides of a rectangular base20 on receiver 14. Extending upwardly from base 20 is a rectangularhousing 22 containing a transverse passage 24 therethrough for theslidable reception of a breechblock 26. A firing tube 28 is threadablymounted into the forward wall of receiver 14 substantially centrally ofpassage 24 and in communication therewith.

Housing 22 is provided with a centrally positioned channel of T-slotconfiguration as indicated at 30 extending transversely across the topsurface thereof for the slidable reception of a gear rack 32. Theportion of rack 32 which projects upwardly from channel 30' is providedwith vertical teeth 34 along the opposite sides thereof. Ari upstandinglug 36 at the outer end of rack 32 is formed with a hole 38 therethroughparallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun for the reception of a hook40 projecting from the outer end of an actuator 42 powered by suitablehydraulic mechanism (not shown). Hook 40 terminates in a linear endportion 44 which is oriented to pass through hole 38 from the front endthereof and thereby permit automatic disengagement therehetween duringthe initial recoil movement of receiver 14. 1

Movement of actuator 42 is transmitted to breechblock 26 by a gear andlever assembly in which a pair of annular pinion gears 46 are rotatablymounted on the top of receiver housing 22 to straddle rack 32 in meshingengage ment with gear teeth 34 thereon. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 11,a driving gear 48 is disposed beneath each pinion gear 46 in axialalignment therewith and is secured thereto for joint rotation. This isaccomplished by an elongated hub 50 on driving gear 48 which extendsupwardly into the central opening 52 of pinion gear 46. The exteriorperiphery of hub 50 is provided with a plurality of semicylindricalvertically disposed notches 54 adapted to mate with correspondinglyformed notches 56 spaced about the interior wall surface of opening 52in pinion gear 46 and provide cylindrical seats for connecting pins 58.Driving gear 48 is journaled on a bushing 60- which is retained in acounter-bored opening 62 in the top of receiver 14 by a bolt 64threadably secured therein as indicated at 66. The base of bushing 60 isdiametrically enlarged as indicated at 68 and a collar 70 is provided atthe upper end of bolt 64 to retain driving gear 48 and pins 58 againstvertical displacement in receiver 14.

Each driving gear 48 is utilized to transmit rotation to a spur gear 72which is fixedly keyed, as best indicated at 74, to a vertical shaft 76rotatably mounted in the top of receiver 14. Shaft 76 is provided with acircular flange 78 which is rotatably seated on the enlarged head of asleeve 80 fitted into a corresponding counterbored recess 82 in the topof receiver 14. The lower end of shaft 76 projects into passage 24 andterminates in a rectangular end 84 engageable in a corresponding opening86 in one end of an actuating lever 88 and pinned thereto as shown at90. The opposite end of each lever 88 is provided with a dependingroller 92 extending into slidable engagement with a longitudinal slot 94formed into the top of breechblock 26. Slots 94 originate at theopposite ends of breechblock 26 and extend inwardly therealong towardeach other in axial alignment to terminate in arcuate closed ends 96which are inclined at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis as bestshown in FIG. 6 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. Gears 46, 48and 72 and the major portion of rack 32 are protectively housed beneatha cover 97 fastened to the top of receiver 14.

As a result of the foregoing construction, the movement imparted to rack32 by hydraulic actuator 42 rotates gears 46 and 48 to drive spur gears72 for imparting corresponding rotation to shafts 76. In view of thefixed connection between each shaft 76 and the end of lever 88, roller92 on the opposite end thereof is swung in an are about the verticalaxis of shaft 76. Since rollers 92 are slidably retained in slots 94,the swinging movement of levers 88 is imparted directly to breechblock26 which is thereby slidably actuated in transverse passage 24 ofreceiver 14 to open and close the breech in accordance with thedirection of movement of rack 32.

At the forward end of breechblock 26, a series of spaced apartsubstantially rectangular ribs 98 extend transversely thereacross forslidable engagement with corresponding grooves 100 formed in the upperinterior wall surface of transverse passage 24. Ribs 98 and grooves 106are identically inclined at a slight angle to the front face ofbreechblock 26 in order to facilitate the movement thereof into and outof surface contact with the breech face of firing tube 28 without anysacrifice in the required degree of pressure therebetween. Asbreechblock 26 moves into contact with the breech end of firing tube 28,rollers 92 in slots 94 enter into the arcuate ends 96 thereof. Thus,when travel of breechblock 26 is halted, levers 88 continue to swing inovertravel until rollers 92 are fully engaged in ends 96 of slots 94. Atthis point, linear surfaces 102 at the extreme end of each lever 88 arebrought into wedging engagement with locking lugs 104 which projectupwardly from an elongated base 105 suitably secured to the top ofbreechblock 26 inwardly of and adjacent to arcuate ends 96 of slots 94.Since levers 88 are then positioned slightly beyond the angle at whichthe longitudinal axes thereof are normal to the longitudinal axis ofbreechblock 26, any tendency for the latter to move out of the lockedbreech closing position actually increases the locking pressure betweenlevers 88 and locking lugs 104.

A bracket 106 is suitably fixed to the side of frame 12 beneathbreechblock 26 and is provided with a platform 108 in planar alignmentwith the floor of transverse pas sage 24 for supporting the portion ofbreechblock 26 which projects from passage 24 during the breech openingmovement thereof. The outer end of platform 108 is provided with abuffer 110 at each corner thereof in position to halt the transversebreech opening movement of breechblock 26. On the opposite side of frame12, a feed tray 112 is fixedly secured thereto and is provided with arectangular feedway 114 therethrough in coextensive alignment withtransverse passage 24 in receiver 14. A rectangular box 116 istransversely set into the upper wall of feed tray 112 in communicationwith feedway 114 and is retained in place by vertical stiffening members118 fastened to the top of feed tray 112. Box 116 houses a feed slide120 (FIG. 4) provided with laterally spaced compartments 122 in theunderside thereof. A feed pawl 124 is pivotally pinned in eachcompartment 122 as indicated at 126 and is provided with a projectingstop surface 128 at the upper end thereof which is normally biased intocontact with the underside of compartment 122 by a spiral spring 130encircling pivot pin 126. The inner end of feed slide 120 is providedwith a vertically projecting screw 132 which extends upwardly through aslot 134 in the top of box 116 to terminate in a cylindrical head 136.

A bellcrank lever 138 is pivotally mounted in the top of feed tray 112adjacent the inner end thereof and forwardly of box 116 thereon. One endof lever 138 is arcuately recessed as indicated at 140 in FIG. 9 toengage screw head 136 while the opposite end of lever 138 is providedwith a depending follower roller 142 adapted to ride along a fixed camsurface 144 projecting laterally from the side of receiver 14 abovetransverse passage 24 therein. Feed slide 120 is normally biased towardthe outer end of box 116 by a pair of concentrically coiled springs 146of the negator type, with each being wound on a vertical pin 148depending from a triangular plate 150 welded or otherwise fixed to thetop surfaces of box 116 and stiffening ribs 118 at the. junctiontherebetween. The free end of each spring 146 is provided with a leader152 containing a transverse pin 153 therethrough which extends into box116 to engage in the side of feed slide 120. Thus,.whenever, feed slide120 is actuated to advance feed pawls 124 for feeding a correspondinglyspaced pair of projectiles 154 toward the exit end of feed tray 112,springs 146 are unwound to provide the-bias necessary to return feedslide 120 to the outer position thereof in which each feel pawl 124 isdisposed behind a corresponding projectile 154 ready to advance suchprojectile along feedway 114.

In order to prevent retrograde movement of projectiles 154 as feed slide129rides thereover during the outward stroke thereof, retainers 156 ofinverted V-shaped configuration are pivotally spaced in the floor offeedway 114. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, retainers 156 are eachprovided with an arcuate hinge portion 158 along one edge to permitrotatable mounting thereof on a hinge rod 160 fixedly retained betweenthe sidewalls of spaced parallel channel members 162 and 164 extendingtransversely beneath feed tray 112. The V-shaped portions of retainers156 project upwardly through rectangular recesses 166 in the floor offeed tray 112 and are normally retained in such position by a pluralityof torsion springs 168 mounted on hinge rods 160 with one end bearingagainst the underside of feed tray 112 and the opposite end bearingagainst the underside of retainer 156. In each recess 166, there is alsoprovided a fixed pin 170 which serves as a stop for retainer 156 duringthe downward pivotal movement imparted thereto as projectile 154 isadvanced thereover in feed tray 112. Channel member 162 is secured tothe underside of feed tray 112 while channel member 164 is attached tofeed tray 112 in communication with the interior of feedway 114 butseparated therefrom by a rectangular barrier 171 which guides thepassage of projectiles 154 as best shown in FIG. 1. Channels 162 and 164are utilized for the slidable reception of correspondingly spaced arms172 extending from beneath a projectile loading tray 174 which is inturn slidably joined to an extension.176 projecting from the inner sideof breechblock 26. The slidable nature of this joint is achieved by atongue 178 which extends along the underside of loading tray 174adjacent the end facing breechblock 26 in position to be slidablyreceived in a mating groove 180 formed along breechblock extension 176.As best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, tongue 178 is tapered along theopposite sides thereof with a constant decrease from front to rear whilegroove 180 is formed with correspondingly tapered sides to facilitatethe ease with which breechblock 26 can be actuated into and out ofbattery position. 7

Loading tray 174 is designed so that the inner end portion thereof towhich arms 172 are connected will fit beneath a shelf 182 projectingfrom the adjacent end of feed tray 112 when breechblock 26 is in thebattery position thereof. Inaddition, a third projectile retainer 156is. pivotally mounted between arms 172 to extend upwardly through arectangular recess 184 in the floor of loading tray 174 in the samemanner and for the same purpose as retainers 156 in feed tray 112. Astop rod 186 is also mounted between the endwalls of recess 184 inposition to halt the downward movement of the third retainer 156 as theleading projectile 154 is advanced thereover. An. inclined plate 188 iswelded to the top of loading tray 174 in position to halt the advance ofthe leading projectile 154 in axial alignment with firing tube 28.

Loading tray 174 is rearwardly extended as indicated at 190 to support abracket 192 which is in turn utilized to mount a hydraulically operatedrammer 19.4 in axial alignment with firing tube 28. The rear end ofbreechblock housing 22 is arcuately recessed as indicated at 193 toprovide access for rammer 194 which consists of a cylindrical body 196housing a series. of concentric telescoping cylinders 198, as best shownin FIG. 3. The innermost cylinder terminates in a circular pusher 200 atthe front end thereof which is convexly shaped to mate with the concavebase of each projectile 154. Thus, when hydraulic fluid is introducedinto rammer body 196 through a suitable connection 202 at the rear endthereof, cylinders 198 are extended forwardly to ram projectile 154 intothe interior of firing tube 28. A second hydraulic connection 202 in theforward end of rammer body 196 admits the fluid necessary to telescopecylinders 198 and return pusher 200 to the retracted condition in whichthe next projectile can be advanced into position to be rammed therebyduring the next cycle of operation.

A cylindrical opening 204 is formed into the front face of breechblock26 in position to be forwardly exposed when breechblock 26 has beenactuated outwardly to open the breech. Opening 204 is designed to bemanually or mechanically loaded with a cylindrical powder charge 206adapted to be fired by any conventional device which can be located inthe interior of breechblock 26 or in some other portion of the gun whichis still in direct communication with opening 204.

Upon discharge of powder charge 206, receiver 14 begins to recoiltogether with firing tube 28 whereupon the tongue and groove connectionbetween loading tray 174 and breechblock 26 permits the latter to recoiltogether with receiver 14 which thereupon disengages from the hook end44 of hydraulic actuator 42 as best shown in FIG. 12. As receiver 14travels to the rear, the outwardly projecting cam surface 144 on theside thereof rides off follower roller 142 and frees feed lever 138 forpivotal movement. As a result, feed slide 120 is free to be actuated bysprings 146 to the outermost position thereof in box 116 as best shownin FIG. 8. During this movement of feed slide 120, feed pawls 124 arepivoted upwardly to compress springs 130 and are thereafter draggedacross the tops of projectiles 154' which are being held on the floor offeed tray 112 by retainers 156. Thus, when feed slide 120 reaches theoutermost position thereof, springs 1'30 bias feed pawls 124' intorespective contact with the outwardly facing sides of projectiles 15.4.At the conclusion of the outward movement of feed slide 120,, adepending lug 208 (FIG. 4) at the inner end thereof is brought intocontact with the forward side of the leading projectile 154 in feed tray112 to restrain such projectile against accidental displacement prior tothe inward movement of feed slide 20. Such retention is required sincethe bias of retainer springs 168 is insufiicient to support the weightof projectile 154.

As receiver 14 counterrecoils toward battery position, cam surface 144contacts roller 142 and pivots feed lever 138 to actuate feed slide 120so that feed pawls 124 thereon advance projectiles 154 over retainers156 in feed tray 112. As the leading projectile is thus advanced, itrolls off shelf 182, and over retainer 156 onto the lower level ofloading tray 174 where it is halted as. shown in phantom outline in FIG.8 by the inclined stop plate 188 thereon. In this position, the leadingprojectile 154'18 disposed in axial aligrr,..ent with rarnmer 194 anddue to the lower elevation thereof will clear depending lug 208 duringthe subsequent actuation of loading tray 174.

As the counterrecoiling parts reach battery, book 40 reengages lug 36 ongear rack 32 to restore the operating connection thereof with hydraulicactuator 42., At the same time, the reengagement of tongue 178 andgroove 180 reconnects loading tray 174 to breechblock 26. Thus, asactuator 42 is energized to pull rack 32 out wardly across the top ofreceiver 14, pinion gears. 46 are rotated so that the correspondingrotation of gears 48 drives spur gears 72 to rotate the shafts 76v towhich levers 88 are fixedly secured at one end. As levers. 88 begin to.move. from the position shown in FIG. 7, rollers 92 thereon ride alongthe inclined ends of slots 94 and out of contact with locking lugs 104thereby freeing breechblock 26 for transverse movement in receiver 14 indirect response to the pressure exerted thereon by the swinging movementof rollers 92 on the sides of slots 94. Thus, as breechblock 26 is beingmoved outwardly in receiver 14 to uncover the breech face of firing tube28, loading tray 174 is being simultaneously pulled away from stationaryfeed tray 112 to advance the leading projectile 154 into the interior ofreceiver 14. When this outward travel of breechblock 26 is finallyhalted by bufiers. 110-, projectile 154 is in axial alignment withfiring tube 28 in position to be rammed forwardly therein by rammer 194.

While projectile 154 on loading tray 174 is being rammed into firingtube 28, another projectile 154 can be, placed in feed tray 112 and apowder charge 206 can be simultaneously loaded manually or by suitableautomatic mechanism into firing chamber 204 which Was uncovered duringthe movement of breechblock 26 outwardly of receiver 14. Thus, whenhydraulic actuator 42. is reversed to return breechblock 26 intoreceiver 14, powder charge 206 will be carried. into axial alignmentwith projectile 154 then in firing tube 28. During the return ofbreechblock 26 to the breech closure position thereof, the forward facethereof is wedged tightly against the breech face of firing tube 28 as aresult of the slightly inclined orientation of ribs 98 on breechblock 26and the mating grooves 100 in transverse passage 24. At the same time,actuating levers 88 are returned to the position wherein the linear endsurfaces 102 thereof become wedged into locking engagement with lugs 104on breechblock 26. The return of breechblock 26 to the breech closureposition thereof also returns loading tray 174 into adjacent relationwith feed tray 112 in position to receive the leading projectile 154during the next. feed stroke of feed slide 120. The gun is now ready foranother cycle of operation and as long as the projectiles and powdercharges are systematically replenished, firing can be conducted on anautomatic basis.

Thus, the present invention provides a simple. and. reliable means forsignificantly reducing the interval in which a projectile and a powdercharge can be separately loaded into firing position in a relativelylarge caliber artillery weapon. Such reduction is chiefly due to theunique concept of releasably attaching the projectile loading tray tothe breechblock for concurrent transverse movement therewith only duringthe opening and closing of the breech. As a result, it is no longernecessary to limit the loading of the ammunition to the period in whichthe breechblock is stationary, as is the case in guns of present design.Furthermore, the concept of mounting the rammer on the same loading trayutilized to bring a projectile into axial alignment with the firing tubealso reduces the length of the loading cycle by eliminating the formernecessity for subsequently positioning the rammer into axial alignmentwith the projectile. In addition, since the manner is mounted on theloading tray, it will be automatically moved out of the ramming positionthereof simultaneously with the closing of the breech, therebyeliminating the prior art necessity of removing the rammer from the pathof the recoiling parts before firing can be initiated.

Another significant reduction in the length of the loading cycleheretofore required in guns of this type is achieved by the fact thatthe powder charge can be loaded into the gun from the front end thereofwhile the projectile is being loaded into the feed tray on the side ofthe gun or even while the leading projectile is being rammed into thefiring tube. This feature is, of course, a tremendous improvement overguns of current design which require that the projectile be fully rammedinto the firing chamber before the powder charge can be introduced intothe gun. Furthermore, inasmuch as the projectiles and power charges canbe fed into the gun at widely separate locations, this can beaccomplished manually without the customary interference problemsencountered by the handlers of the ammunition components in those gunsin which the projectiles and powder charges must be introduced into thegun at substantially the same location.

In addition to the foregoing improvements in the loading of theprojectiles and powder charges into the gun, the incorporation of thepowder charge firing chamber in the transversely slidable breechblock isan important innovation since it eliminates the necessity for rammingthe powder charge into the firing tube behind the projectile chamberedtherein. Thus, the ammunition loading cycle can be completed in asignificantly shorter interval than in conventional guns in which theloading of the powder charge must be delayed until the projectile isfully chambered in the firing tube and the rammer fully retracted to theoriginal position thereof. Also, inasmuch as the powder charge need notbe rammed into the firing tube, it is no longer necessary to ram theprojectile deep enough therein to leave sufficient space for the powdercharge. This is a desirable feature which minimizes the depth to whichthe rammer is required to enter into the firing tube and consequentlyavoids the difficulties heretofore encountered in conventional guns dueto the hydraulic hoses which are attached to the forward portion of therammer.

Thus, the present invention provides a rugged breech mechanism which isuniquely adapted for loading separate projectiles and powder chargesinto large caliber guns such as cannon or howitzers in far less timethan that heretofore required in similar Weapons with a conventionalbreech. Obviously, any reduction in loading time provides acorresponding increase in the rate of fire regardless of whether thefeeding of the projectiles and powder charges into the gun is to beaccomplished manually or by fully automatic mechanism. Moreover, thetransverse movement of the breechblock and the loading tray attachedthereto is relatively unaffected by the angle at which the gun is beingfired. In conventional guns in which the breechblock is longitudinallyor pivotally actuated, and the projectiles and powder charges are loadedin a forward direction, firing at extreme elevations introduces gravityforces which tend to delay the return of the breechblock to the closedbreech position thereof.

The present invention has been described in detail above for the purposeof illustration only and is not intended to be limited by thisdescription or otherwise except as defined by the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a large caliber gun having a stationary frame, a receiver slidablymounted in the frame for longitudinal recoil and counterrecoil movement,and a firing tube fixed in the forward end of the receiver incommunication with the interior thereof, means for loading projectilesinto position to be rammed into the firing tube, comprising abreechblock slidably mounted in the receiver for lateral movement intoand out of a closed breech position, a

projectile loading tray slidably mounted on the stationary frame, meanson said tray for retaining a projectile thereon, and means forconnecting said loading tray to one side of said breechblock whereby thebreech opening movement thereof advances the projectile into axialalignment with the firing tube, said connection between: said loadingtray and said breechblock being releasable in a longitudinal directionwhereby the latter is free to reciprocate jointly with the receiver whenthe breech is fully closed.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said releasableconnection between said projectile loading tray and said breechblockcomprises a longitudinal tongue and groove arrangement tapered along themating surfaces thereof to facilitate reengagement therebetween duringthe counterrecoil movement of said breechblock.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a feed tray secured tothe stationary frame for slidably housing said loading tray, means insaid feed tray for laterally transferring a projectile to said loadingtray, a lever pivoted on said feed tray with one end in engagement withsaid projectile transfer means, and a cam projecting from the side ofthe receiver in position to contact the opposite end of said leverduring counterrecoil whereby the pivotal movement imparted theretoactuates said projectile transfer means in said feed tray.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a rammer mounted onsaid loading tray in position to ram the projectile thereon into thefiring tube at the conclusion of the breech opening movement of saidbreechblock.

5. In a large caliber gun having a stationary frame, a receiver slidablymounted in the frame for longitudinal recoil and counterrecoil movement,and a firing tube fixed in the forward end of the receiver incommunication with the interior thereof, means for feeding separateprojectiles and powder charges into axial firing alignment, comprising abreechblock slidably mounted in the receiver for lateral movement intoand out of a closed breech position, a forwardly opening firing chamberin said breechblock for holding a powder charge, a feed tray fixed toone side of the stationary frame in open communication with the interiorof the receiver, means for releasably retaining a plurality ofprojectiles in said feed tray, a projectile loading tray slidablymounted in said feed tray in releasable engagement with one side of saidbreechblock, a rammer fixedly mounted on said loading tray, meansoperable during the recoil movement of the receiver for transferring theleading projectile in said feed tray onto said loading tray into axialalignment with said rammer thereon, and means for laterallyreciprocating said breechblock in the receiver to open and close thebreech whereby the breech opening movement of said breechblock positionssaid firing chamber therein outwardly of the receiver for the receptionof a powder charge and simultaneously actuates said loading tray toposition the projectile thereon in ramming alignment with the breech endof the firing tube, and whereby the breech closing movement of saidbreechblock positions the powder charge in the firing chamber thereof infiring alignment with the projectile then in the firing tube andsimultaneously returns said loading tray into position to receive thenext successive projectile in said feed tray.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for releasablyretaining a plurality of projectiles in said feed tray comprises aseries of inverted V-shaped retainers pivotally mounted at spacedlocations in the floor of said feed tray, and spring means normallybiasing each retainer upwardly into contact with the trailing side of aprojectile, said spring means being adapted to be overcome by thefeeding movement imparted to the projectiles.

7. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said means forreciprocating said breechblock to open and close the breech comprises agear rack slidably mounted on the top of the receiver for lateralreciprocal move- 1 1 ment, responsive to an exterior source of power, apair of pinion gears; rotatably mounted on the top of the receiver in.position, tostraddle said gear rack and in meshing engagement therewith,a reduction gear secured to the underside of each, pinion gear, a pairof vertical shafts rotatably mounted in the top of the receiver andextendi ng thereth-rough into the interior thereof, a spur gear securedto the upper end ofi each of said shafts inrespective meshing engagementwith each of said reduction gears, a lever fixed at one end thereof tothe lower end of-eaeh of said vertieal gear shafts and having 21depending roller at the other end thereof, and slot means in the top ofsaid breechblock in slidable engagement with said depending rollers onsaid levers whereby lateral movement of said gear rack is converted tocorresponding movement of said breechblock.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 30,760 11/1860 Reecler 42- 1s38,638 5/1863 Lee 89-47X 435,803 9/1890 Dashiel l' 89-.45X

704,955 7/1902 Brankston' 89-45 2,122,423 7/1938 Joyce.

10 2,988,963 6/1961 Goodhue 89-413 3,021,762 2/1962 Soderq-vi-st 89 33.1

BENJAMIN A. BORGIHELT, Primary Examiner.

S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A LARGE CALIBER GUN HAVING A STATIONARY FRAME, A RECEIVER SLIDABLYMOUNTED IN THE FRAME FOR LONGITUDINAL RECOIL AND COUNTERRECOIL MOVEMENT,AND A FIRING TUBE FIXED IN THE FORWARD END OF THE RECEIVER INCOMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR THEREOF, MEANS FOR LOADING PROJECTILESINTO POSITION TO BE RAMMED INTO THE FIRING TUBE, COMPRISING ABREECHBLOCK SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE RECEIVE FOR LATERAL MOVEMENT INTOAND OUT OF A CLOSED BREECH POSITION, A PROJECTILE LOADING TRAY SLIDABLYMOUNTED ON THE STATIONARY FRAME, MEANS ON SAID TRAY FOR RETAINING APROJECTILE THEREON, AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID LOADING TRAY TO ONESIDE OF SAID BREECHBLOCK WHEREBY THE BREECH OPENING MOVEMENT THEREOFADVANCES THE PROJECTILE INTO AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE FIRING TUBE, SAIDCONNECTION BETWEEN SAID LOADING TRAY AND SAID BREECHBLOCK BEINGRELEASABLE IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION WHEREBY THE LATTER IS FREE TORECIPROCATE JOINTLY WITH THE RECEIVER WHEN THE BREECH IS FULLY CLOSED.